DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 23 November 1911, Page 2366

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 20. On Sunday, December 10, within the Octave of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the beautiful new church just completed at New Brighton is to be solemnly blessed .and opened, and dedicated to Our Blessed Lady under the above title, by his Lordship the Bishop. At St. Mary's Church, Christchurch North, on Sunday the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., reminded the people of the presence of the Tablet business representative in the parish ,and urged a generous support to so worthy an example of Catholic journalism. The- sixth standard pupils of the Marist Brothers' School were examined last week by Mr. Brock, inspector under the North Canterbury Board of Education Of eleven presented, nine gained proficiency and one competency certificates. The inspector expressed himself as exceedingly pleased with the result, complimenting the teaching staff also on their efficient methods. On the occasion of the approaching Christmas prizegiving the Marist Brothers intend to have an entertainment in which the whole programme will be filled by the various classes of their school. These will include vocal and dramatic items, physical exercises, and other. popular numbers in which the boys excel - The event is fixed for Thursday, December 14, in the Choral Hall, and as tickets have been sold in considerable quantities a crowded audience is assured.

Completing his episcopal visitation of the Ashburton parochial district, his Lordship the Bishop on last Sunday fortnight, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell, blessed the new church at Hinds, and j dedicated it to St. Paul of the Cross. The church, a neat and commodious structure, occupies a suitable and convenient site in the township. It marks an important addition to the churches of the parish, which now number four. On last Sunday week the Bishop was on a visitation to Geraldine, where his Lordship administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to forty candidates, presented by the pastor, the Very Rev. Dean Bowers, S.M. Last Sunday the Bishop, accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, was at Temuka, in which district he will be occupied for a week or two. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration was commenced in St. Mary's Church, Christchurch North, on Sunday. The devotion was inaugurated with solemn High Mass at 11 o'clock. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., (Provincial), was celebrant, the Rev. Father Quinn, S.M., deacon, and Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., subdeacon. There was a large congregation, although the church was crowded at the earlier Masses, when nearly 400 people approached the Holy Table. . The high altar and sanctuary were tastefully adorned for the occasion, and the various parish confraternities participated in the procession. At Vespers in the evening the Very Rev. Dean Regnault preached an eloquent discourse on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to an overflowing congregation. The Rev. Father Quinn will be the occasional preacher en Monday evening, and the ' devotion ' will be closed with solemn High Mass on Tuesday morning. At the Wellington Musical and Elocution Competitions recentlyxhelcl, Christchurch competitors have reason to be proud of their success. The Competitions are the largest of their kind yet held in the Dominion, there being some 700 entries in the vocal section. The pupils of Mrs. Arthur Mead have been most successful, being placed in almost every section in which they entered. Soprano test: 'Jewel song,' Miss Barker, 2nd; ditto, ' Ah lo so,' Miss Grant, 2nd : ditto (sacred), 'How beautiful are the feet ('Messiah'), Miss Grant, Ist; Miss Barker, 3rd. Soprano (restricted), 'My mother bids me bind my hair,' Miss Grant, Ist; Miss Barker, 3rd. Mezzo soprano, ' Too late,' Miss Grant, 2nd. Contralto test, ' Che faro,' Miss Ray Livingstone, 2nd; ditto (sacred), ' The Lord is mindful of His own,' Miss Livingstone, 2nd; ditto (restricted), 'Fascination,' Miss Livingstone, Ist; bass test, 'Vulcan song-,' Mr. R. Maloney, 3rd. Miss Grant was awarded the special £3 3s prize for the best competitor who had never before received a fee. It speaks remarkably well for Mrs. Mead's tuition and method of voice production, that the pupils sent up have only had twelve months' training. The judge, Mr. C. N. Baeyertz, writing to Mrs. Mead, complimented her on the success attained by her pupils, adding that he was delighted with both their production and interpretation, and expressing his satisfaction as to her capabilities as a teacher. With reference to Mr. R. Maloney (son of Mr. Maloney of the Telegraph Department), Mr. Baeyertz states that he has a very fine voice, and with careful training will no doubt make a name for himself. On last Sunday fortnight the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial) re-opened the church at Fanrlie, celebrating Mass and incidentally relieving the pastor, the Rev. Father Le Petit, S.M., and enabling him to visit Albury and the Cave. The improvements made at Fairlie (said the Very Rev. Dean) which include the sanctuary, sacristy, and gallery complete the structure, which is now one of the neatest country churches of the diocese. The congregation subscribed so liberally to the cost of the considerable additions that no debt remains upon them. It is now in contemplation to erect on the adjoining church grounds a presbytery during the next twelve months. The population, owing to the cutting up of estates in the Mackenzie country, is rapidly increasing, and the Fairlie district promises in the near future to become a very prosperous one. The Very Rev. Dean was agreeably surprised to see at Albury, together with the fine stone church, a small

presbytery erected for the comfort and convenience of the pastor who is obliged to divide his time between there and Fairlie, and also the Cave, where another church, built of local stone, is nearing completion. The congregation at Albury has greatly increased during the last few years. The complete furnishings of the church ad Albury are greatly enhanced by beautiful stations of the Cross in terra-cotta which, with one of two exceptions, compare favorably with any in the Dominion,